Weir structure



March 21, 1933. GlLBERT 1,901,956

WEIR STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 21, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 21, 1933.GlLBERT 1,901,956

- WEIR STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 21, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l mented Mar. 21,1933 TILE EON I. GILBERT, @F MOUNT VERNON, ILLINUIS STE'UGTUREApplication filed @ctober 21, 1982.

My invention relates, generally, to means for preserving drainage canalsand ditches, and more particularly to an improved weir ,7 structurewhich is adapted to check soil ero- U sion in small drainage canals.When properly positioned, the device of m invention forms aretaining-wall for the soil constituting the bed of the canal.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved device of thecharacter described which is simple and economical of manufacture, whichmay be readily removed and repositioned, and which may be adjusted to wconform to the slope of the banks of the canal. Another object of myinvention is to provide an improved weir structure for theaforementioned purpose, having a trough, or spout adapted to receive anddirect the water after its passage over and/or through the 539 weir,such trough serving to prevent a hollow in the bed of the canal at thelower, or down stream side of the Weir.

These and other objects and advantages G will appear from the followingdetailed description of several presently preferred embodiments of myinvention, which description is to be considered in connection with thedrawings, Fig. 1 of which is a front view illustrating one form of mydevice as installed in a drainage canal; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevationas viewed along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view in perspective of the device of Fig. 1,and Figs. 4 and 5 are elevationalviews in perspective of modifiedembodiments of my invention.

Referring now by characters of reference to the drawings, in Figs. 1, 2and 3, which illustrate one embodiment of my invention, indicates arectangular plate formed by preference of suitable, rust proof sheetmetal. The plate 10 is adapted to be anchored in the bed of a canal, orditch by means of a pair of posts or stakes 11, secured as by means ofbolts 12, or the equivalent, at opposite ends of the plate 10.Projecting from the forward or down stream face of the plate 10 is achannel-shaped trough or spout having a floor 13, and side walls 14. Thefloor 13 of the spout is located a substantial distance above the lowerend of the plate 10, the por- Serial No. 353,339.

tion of the plate 10 extending below the floor of the trough beingadapted to penetrate the bed of the canal. A depending flange 15 at theforward edge of the trough floor prevents water from washing under, anderoding the soil below the spout.

Projecting from opposite ends of the plate 10 are wing plates 16, eachof which is pivotally secured to the plate 10 as by means of a singlebolt 17. Each wing plate 16 so may be adjusted angularly relative to theplate 10 to enable it to conform with the slope of the canal bank.Supporting posts 18, secured for pivotal adjustment to the wing plates16 near the outer end thereof, may be to driven at any suitable angleinto the banks. By preference the upper margins of the wing plates 16and the central plate 10 are suitably turned to provide, as in thepresent example, reinforcing flanges 19 and 20, respectively.

As best appears in Fig. 1, the lower portions of the wing plates 16 areadapted to be ressed a substantial distance into the ban s of the canal.The subterranean portion of the central and wing plates 10 and 15prevents the drainage water from washing underneath the weir structure.

The plate 10 is provided with a central orifice 21 of size suficient topass the drainage water under normal conditions of flow. During a heavyrain, or under other conditions causing a large flow of water in thedrainage canal, the water will flow over the upper edges of the plateconstituting the weir structure. The obstruction results in a B5deposition of the sediment entrained in the stream, and in time, thelevel of the stream bed will raise and be maintained at the level of theupper margins of the weir structure. Obviously, when it is desired topreserve a drainage ditch of substantial length, a number of my improvedweir structures should be employed, spaced at suitable intervals alongthe bed of the canal. After its passage over or through the weirstructure, the water impinges on the apron or floor portion 13 of thetrough which prevents the formation of a hollow in the bed of thestream, and ultimately a tunnel underneath the weir.

A modified embodiment of my invention,

applicable for preserving ditches or canals o relatively smallcross-sectional area is i1- lustrated in Fig. 4-. In this form of weirstructure, the sheet metal body portion or plate 23, which correspondsto the plate 10 of the device of Fig. 1, is provided with a recess 24 inits upper edge, such recess serving to direct water passing over theplate onto the floor of the discharge-piece or spout. Except for theabsence or win plates, the device of Fig. 4 is substantialy identicalwith that of Fi 3.

In the mo ed form of my invention, illustrated in Fig. 5, central andwing portions 25 and 26, respectively, and leg portions 27 are fashionedfrom a single piece of rust proof sheet metal. The central portion 25.,by preference, is provided with an orifice 28 and a recess 29, suchrecess serving to direct water overflowing the structure into the troughor discharge-piece 30.

While I have shown and described my invention with reference to severalpresently preferred embodiments thereof, 1 am aware that various changesmay be made in the structure, as herein shown and described withoutdeparting from the spirit and full intended scope of my invention asdefined by the appended claim.

I claim as my invention:

A weir structure for checking soil erosion in drainage canals and thelike, comprising a. plate having an aperture of restricted size, adaptedto be anchored centrally of the canal, said plate having anchoring postsfixedly secured thereto, a channeled spout projecting from one face ofthe plate, and positioned to receive water flowing through the aperturein the plate, the door of said spout being spaced above the lower edgeof said plate and adapted to lie flush with the bed of the canal, saidaperture in said plate being spaced a distance above the floor of saidspout, a depending flange formed on the forward margin of the door ofsaid spout, said flange being adapted to penetrate the bed of the canal;wings secured for ivotal adjustment at opposite ends of said p ate, ananchoring post near the outer end of each wing, and means pivotallysecuring the anchor posts to said wings.

TILMON 1. GILBERT.

